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F1 to Dodge Twitter Ban in China?

For most of you Formula One fans out there, the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend might become less that “informational” if you're using the growing microblogging phenomenon Twitter. And that's because the F1 teams present in Shanghai this week will have to use some dodging techniques to keep in touch with their fans via the aforementioned channel.

As you all know, the “Chinese government has banned and blocked many forms of social media on the Internet,” as reported by the GMM news agency. In late 2009, this ban was addressed to Twitter also, making tweets from China possible only through dodging tricks.

Many times through the course of the 2010 grand prix weekends – continuing a trend that was set in the series last year – the teams would use their Tweeter accounts to provide real time information on what's happening during practice, qualifying or race. Additionally, some other interesting information on the drivers – what they eat, do, discuss – or team members were shared with the diehard racing fans of F1.

Of course, this is unlikely to happen in China, but it seems that some tricks may be used in order for the teams to continue their Twitter communication with the fans, even if at a lower rate.

Having expressing dismay at the ban, HRT driver Karun Chandhok was greeted at Shanghai airport this week by three "very sweet fans" who told him the tricks,” continued the report from GMM, adding that some teams/individuals have already “broken the law” and tweeted to their fans this week – McLaren, Mike Gascoyne, Mark Webber, Heikki Kovalainen and several journalists.

According to local sources, there are no less than 30,000 Internet policemen hired by the Chinese government to make sure the censorship laws are applied accordingly. How they will solve the problems with “naughty” F1 characters we'll yet to find out...
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